As winter storm Nika hammered Chester County and surrounding areas, falling tree limbs laden with ice wreaked havoc on local power grids. The Fire Company responded to numerous winter storm related calls beginning around 06:30hrs on Wednesday, February 5th.During the day on Wednesday, the Malvern Fire Company lost power shortly after 11:00hrs while crews were responding to a pair of calls in Willistown Township. The Company was without power overnight and all day Thursday.Thursday evening, Acme Markets President Jim Perkins arranged to have a generator that was no longer needed by Acme delivered to the Malvern Fire Company for complimentary use. With the Malvern Fire Company heavily reliant on electricity to keep our equipment charged, the generosity of Jim Perkins and Acme Markets could not have come at a better time. We extend our sincere gratitude for this assistance in our time of need.Prior to receiving the generator, the firehouse was cold and dark. Among other things, this meant that there was no way for the crews to make a meal. Our friends at Malvern Pizza stopped by with food and provided a morale boost to fire and EMS crews. We extend our sincere gratitude to Malvern Pizza for showing our company generosity during the storm.

Additionally, the Malvern Fire Company received support from the municipalities we serve including Malvern Borough, Willistown Township and East Goshen Township. Municipal crews worked hard to clear roads when able and communicated with us about road closures and hazardous conditions. The Chester County Emergency Operations Center also provided support, primarily with pertinent informational updates and orchestrating resource logistics. The Company extends our thanks to these government agencies for enabling everything to run as smoothly as possible.

As always, we would like to thank our community for supporting the fire company and for heeding warnings and suggestions related to public safety. As a community organization, we thrive on the support from those we serve.

Utility and tree removal crews from near and far have worked tirelessly to restore power to our community and to clear roads for better and safer travel. The Malvern Fire Company would like to say thanks for your tireless efforts to help restore our community to pre-storm conditions.

Finally, the Malvern Fire Company wishes to acknowledge the service and committment of our volunteer and career staff members. Crews staffed the fire and EMS apparatus responding to numerous emergencies often times leaving behind family and loved ones in the dark at home.